Handwashing system

ABSTRACT

A handwashing valve structure includes a mounting structure, a dispensing structure, and a control structure. The mounting structure is configured to attach to a liquid vessel. The dispensing structure is configured to dispense a liquid from the liquid vessel and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The control structure is configured to move the dispensing structure between the closed position and the open position. The control structure is configured to be moved by pressure from a portion of a user&#39;s body to move the dispensing structure from the closed position to the open position. The dispensing structure is configured to automatically move from the open position to the closed position in the absence of any pressure from the portion of the user&#39;s body onto the control structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/260,973, filed Jan. 29, 2019, which claims priority to and thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/624,906, filedFeb. 1, 2018, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of handwashingvalve structures.

BACKGROUND

In areas with limited amounts of water, it is imperative to conservewater as much as possible. However, it is also imperative to provide aneasy and convenient way to wash people's hands without using too muchwater in order to prevent the spread of germs and infection.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a handwashing valve structure that includes amounting structure, a dispensing structure, and a control structure. Themounting structure is configured to attach to a liquid vessel. Thedispensing structure is configured to dispense a liquid from the liquidvessel and is movable between a closed position in which liquid cannotflow through the valve structure and an open position in which liquidflows from the liquid vessel and through and out from the valvestructure. The control structure is configured to move the dispensingstructure between the closed position and the open position. The controlstructure is configured to be moved by pressure from a portion of auser's body to move the dispensing structure from the closed position tothe open position. The dispensing structure is configured toautomatically move from the open position to the closed position in theabsence of any pressure from the portion of the user's body onto thecontrol structure.

Another embodiment relates to a handwashing station that includes aliquid vessel configured to contain a liquid and a handwashing valvestructure configured to attach to and dispense the liquid from theliquid vessel. The valve structure includes a mounting structure, adispensing structure, and a control structure. The mounting structure isconfigured to attach to a liquid vessel. The dispensing structure isconfigured to dispense a liquid from the liquid vessel and is movablebetween a closed position in which liquid cannot flow through the valvestructure and an open position in which liquid flows from the liquidvessel and through and out from the valve structure. The controlstructure is configured to move the dispensing structure between theclosed position and the open position. The control structure isconfigured to be moved by pressure from a portion of a user's body tomove the dispensing structure from the closed position to the openposition. The dispensing structure is configured to automatically movefrom the open position to the closed position in the absence of anypressure from the portion of the user's body onto the control structure.

The foregoing is a summary and thus by necessity containssimplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail. Consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices and/orprocesses described herein, as defined solely by the claims, will becomeapparent in the detailed description set forth herein and taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, characteristics, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the artfrom the following detailed description of embodiments of the presentdisclosure, made with reference to the drawings annexed, in which likereference characters refer to like elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handwashing station according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a handwashing station according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a handwashing station according to yetanother embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a handwashing station according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a handwashing station a handwashingvalve structure and a water vessel according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, schematic view of the valve structure andthe water vessel of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the valve structure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the valve structure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the valve structure of FIG. 5 in aclosed position.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the valve structure of FIG. 5 in anopen position.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an upper mounting structure of a valvestructure according to one embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the upper mounting structure of FIG. 11forming a hole in the water vessel.

FIG. 13 is a portion of the valve structure of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 14-16 are perspective views of the handwashing station of FIG. 5being used.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the valve structure in the closed position andthe water vessel of FIG. 5.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view through Section A-A of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the valve structure in the open position andthe water vessel of FIG. 5.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view through Section B-B of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a side, partially cross-sectional view of a valve structureaccording to another embodiment in an open position.

FIG. 22 is a partially perspective, partially side, cross-sectional viewof a valve structure according to another embodiment in a closedposition.

FIG. 23 is a partially perspective, partially side, cross-sectional viewof the valve structure of FIG. 22 in an open position.

FIG. 24 is a side, cross-sectional view of the foot pedal of FIG. 22 inthe closed position.

FIG. 25 is a side, cross-sectional view of the foot pedal of FIG. 22 inthe open position.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the valve structure of FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the disclosure will now be described with regard tocertain examples and embodiments, which are intended to illustrate butnot to limit the disclosure. Nothing in this disclosure is intended toimply that any particular feature or characteristic of the disclosedembodiments is essential. The scope of protection is not defined by anyparticular embodiment described herein. Before turning to the figures,which illustrate exemplary embodiments in detail, it should beunderstood that the application is not limited to the details ormethodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures.It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose ofthe descriptions only and should not be regarded as limiting.

Referring generally to the figures, disclosed herein is a handwashingstation with a handwashing valve structure that provides an area for auser to easily, sanitarily, and hygienically wash their hands usingminimal water. Accordingly, the handwashing station is particular usefulin locations that do not have water plumbing, where water is scarce,and/or where water needs to be conserved. The handwashing station allowsthe user to easily access water, but does not let water run or be wastedwhile the user is not using the handwashing station or is scrubbingtheir hands or between uses in order to conserve water and reduce howmuch the handwashing station (specifically the water vessel) needs to berefilled with water. Furthermore, when in use, the handwashing stationuses a minimum flow rate, while still ensuring that the user's hands arecompletely covered in water to further conserve the water. Accordingly,the handwashing station uses a minimum amount of water for a user towash their hands while still allowing the user to completely and easilyclean their hands. Since the handwashing station is wrist-activated(and/or foot-activated), the handwashing station reduces the spread ofinfection or bacteria and prevents the user's hands from beingrecontaminated when turning off the water flow.

Additionally, the handwashing station is easily adaptable to a varietyof different environments and can utilize a variety of different watervessels. In order to be easily assembled and to reduce the cost (whichis of particular importance in areas with scarce amounts of water), thenumber of components within the handwashing station is minimized.Furthermore, as described further herein, the configuration of thehandwashing station (specifically the handwashing valve structure)discourages using the handwashing water as drinking water, which allowsthe handwashing station to be refilled with water that is notnecessarily drinkable, thus increasing the adaptability to water withdifferent degrees of cleanliness. Overall, the handwashing station isintuitively used such that users who are unfamiliar with the handwashingstation can use the handwashing station without instructions ordirections and is convenient such that users are more likely to washtheir hands more frequently.

Handwashing Station

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the handwashing station 20 provides an area for auser to wash their hands. The handwashing station 20 can be used withina variety of different areas in which handwashing is needed. Forexample, the handwashing station 20 can be used within bathrooms (andtherefore located near a toilet, for example), kitchens (and thereforelocated near a food preparation station, for example), schools, healthcenters, and community centers.

The handwashing station 20 includes a water vessel 30 and a handwashingvalve structure 100. The handwashing station 20 may also optionallyinclude additional components, including but not limited to a liquidwaste bin 24, soap 26, and hand towels 28.

The handwashing valve structure 100 is attached to the water vessel 30(as described further herein) that may be placed on an upper surface 12,such a table, a counter, or a stand. The water vessel 30 is positionedsuch that the valve structure 100 hangs or extends off of the edge uppersurface 12 such that liquid from the water vessel 30 can flow throughthe valve structure 100, onto the user's hands, and into the liquidwaste bin 24. According, the liquid waste bin 24 is positioned directlybelow the valve structure 100 on a lower surface 14 (e.g., a lowertable, a counter, or the floor) that is below the upper surface 12.

The liquid waste bin 24 is configured and positioned to capture dirtyliquid from users washing their hands. Accordingly, the liquid waste bin24 may be a variety of different kinds of buckets, receptacles, drums,or vessels (according to the user's preference and what is available tobe used) that are configured to capture and contain a liquid.

Soap 26 (e.g., a bar of soap) (as shown in FIGS. 1-3) may be positionednear and conveniently to the water vessel 30 and the valve structure 100in order to allow the user to easily access and use the soap while theyare washing their hands. In order to keep the soap 26 near the watervessel 30 and the valve structure 100, the soap 26 may optionally beattached to the water vessel 30 with a rope or string 27 (as shown inFIGS. 1-2). Hand towels 28 (as shown in FIG. 1) may also be positionednear the water vessel 30 and the valve structure 100 (e.g., on the uppersurface 12 or the lower surface 14) in order to allow the user to drytheir hands after washing their hands.

According to one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-3, a single valvestructure 100 is attached or mounted to one water vessel 30. Accordingto another embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, multiple valve structures 100are attached to and fed from one central water vessel 30 such thatmultiple people can wash their hands at the same time and each personhas their own valve structure 100 to wash their hands under. A networkof pipes 22 extends between and fluidly connects each of the valvestructures 100 to the one water vessel 30. The exact configuration ofthe pipes 22 and the exact number of valve structures 100 may varyaccording to the desired configuration.

Water Vessel

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the liquid vessel (e.g., the water bucket,receptacle, container, barrel, drum, or vessel 30) may be any variety ofdifferent containers that are configured to contain and store a liquid.Although water is referred to herein, it is understood that the watervessel 30 may store and release (via the valve structure 100) a varietyof different liquids, such as soapy water. Due to the configuration andadaptability of the valve structure 100, the valve structure 100 can beattached to a wide variety of differently sized and shaped watervessels. Accordingly, a wide variety of different types of water vessels30 may be used with the valve structure 100, according to the user'spreference and what is available to be used. The size or capacity of thewater vessel 30 may depend on what the handwashing station 20 is beingused for (e.g., how many people will be using the handwashing station 20and with what frequency, how often and easily the water vessel 30 can berefilled).

As shown in FIG. 5, the valve structure 100 is attached to the watervessel 30 such that, upon activation (as described further herein),liquid (i.e., water) can flow from within the water vessel 30 onto theuser's hands. As shown in FIG. 6, the water vessel 30 includes a wall 32that extends about the body of the water vessel 30 and defines an innerarea 34 of the water vessel 30 that is configured to contain a liquid(i.e., water). The wall 32 has an inner surface 36 and an outer surface38 that are substantially opposite each other. The inner surface 36faces toward and defines the inner area 34 of the water vessel 30. Theouter surface 38 faces away from the inner area 34 of the water vessel30. In order to attach the valve structure 100 to the water vessel 30,an aperture or hole 39 (which may optionally be circular) is drilled orcut in a lower area of the water vessel 30, extending completely throughthe wall 32 (which may be, for example, a lower, bottom wall or a sidewall). As described further herein, the valve structure 100 ispositioned such that the valve structure 100 extends completely throughthe hole 39 of the water vessel 30. According to one embodiment, thediameter of the hole 39 is approximately 25 to 35 millimeters. Since thevalve structure 100 may be attached to a wall 32 that is a bottom wall,at least a portion of the valve structure 100 may be positionedvertically below (and optionally directly underneath) the water vessel30.

Handwashing Valve Structure

As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the handwashing tap or valve structure 100 isconfigured to attach to a portion of and dispense water from the watervessel 30. The valve structure 100 allows a user to wash their hand(s)by releasing water from the water vessel 30 when the user pressesagainst a control structure or portion of the valve structure 100 (e.g.,pushes up on the handle structure 180 or depresses the foot pedalstructure 190, as described further herein) and moves the valvestructure 100 from a closed position 102 (as shown in FIG. 9 forexample, in which liquid does not (and cannot) flow through the valvestructure 100 and the user therefore cannot wash their hands) to an openposition 104 (as shown in FIG. 10 for example, in which liquid flowsfrom the water vessel 30 and through and out from the valve structure100, which allows the user to wash their hands) (as shown and describedfurther herein).

The valve structure 100 may be a purely mechanical structure (i.e., withno electrical components or connections to electricity). Accordingly,the valve structure 100 (in particular the dispensing structure) isconfigured to be moved between the closed position 102 and the openposition 104 (both being moved from the closed position 102 to the openposition 104 and moving itself from the open position 104 to the closedposition 102) by only mechanical mechanisms (such as the controlstructure) and without any electrical assistance.

Due to the configuration of the valve structure 100, the valve structure100 is self-closing such that the valve structure 100 (in particular thedispensing structure) will automatically move from the open position 104to the closed position 102 in absence of any pressure from the portionof the user's body onto the control structure (e.g., once the user stopspressing against the control structure (i.e., moves their wrist awayfrom the valve structure 100 (in particular the handle structure 180) ormoves their foot away from the foot pedal structure 190)). Thisconfiguration minimizes the amount of water that is wasted and reducesthe spread of germs and infection (since the user does not have to touchthe valve structure 100 with their hands after washing their hands inorder to turn the valve structure 100 off). Accordingly, the valvestructure 100 conserves water since the water is not running (and beingwasted) when the user is not actively using the valve structure 100(e.g., while applying soap to their hands).

Furthermore, the valve structure 100 is configured to be activated(i.e., moved from the closed position 102 to the open position 104) andoperated by a portion of the user's body other than their hands (i.e.,their wrists and/or foot, as described further herein) (i.e., the usercan move the valve structure 100 to the open position 104 with theirwrists (and/or foot) to wash their hands). This configuration furtherhelps control and reduce the spread of germs and infection since theuser does not need to use their hands to turn on/off the valve structure100 (i.e., to move the valve structure 100 between the open position 104and the closed position 102), which could recontaminate the user's hands(in particular after washing). Even further, the valve structure 100disperses the water such that only a low flow rate of water is needed(while still adequately covering the user's hands) and thereby provided,which conserves the amount of water used.

As shown in FIGS. 7-10, the valve structure 100 includes a variety ofdifferent components such as a mounting structure 106, a dispenser 107(referred to herein as the dispensing structure), and a controller 108(referred to herein as the control structure) (which are labeled in FIG.7). The mounting structure is configured to attach the rest of the valvestructure 100 to the water vessel 30 and comprises an upper mountingstructure 110, a lower mounting structure 130, and a gasket 120. Thedispensing structure is configured to dispense the water from the watervessel 30 and is movable between the closed position 102 and the openposition 104. The dispensing structure comprises a piston 150 and anozzle structure 170. The control structure is configured to move thedispensing structure between the closed position 102 and the openposition 104 and comprises a handle structure 180 and/or a foot pedalstructure 190 (as shown and described further herein). According to oneembodiment as shown in FIGS. 8-10, the valve structure 100 may alsoinclude a spring 124.

The various components of the valve structure 100 may be made out of avariety of different materials, according to what is available and whatis most cost effective or cheapest. For example, the majority of thevalve structure 100 may be constructed out of plastic. However, it isunderstood that the rotational rod 182 and the piston rod 184 (asdescribed further herein) may be constructed out of metal (e.g.,stainless steel) for additional strength. Furthermore, at least portionsof the handle structure 180 (i.e., the lift arm 186 and/or the handle188, as described further herein) may be constructed out of metal inorder to have a sufficient weight, which allows the valve structure 100to have a proper weight distribution and allows the valve structure 100to close automatically (as described further herein).

The valve structure 100 may have a relatively small number of parts tobe assembled together in order to reduce the number of parts and to makethe valve structure 100 easier and less expensive to manufacture.

Upper Mounting Structure

As shown in FIGS. 9-10, the upper mounting structure 110 (with the lowermounting structure 130) of the mounting structure attaches the rest ofthe valve structure 100 to the water vessel 30 (as described furtherherein). In particular, the mounting structure (i.e., the upper mountingstructure 110 and/or the lower mounting structure 130) is configured toextend at least partially through the hole 39 in the wall 32 of thewater vessel 30. Accordingly, the upper mounting structure 110 and thelower mounting structure 130 are configured to sandwich (and extendalong opposite sides of) at least a portion of the wall 32 of the watervessel 30 and attach to each other.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 9-10, the upper mounting structure 110(e.g., a back nut filter structure) is configured to be positioned atleast partially (or completely) within the inner area 34 of the watervessel 30. As shown in FIGS. 8-12, the upper mounting structure 110includes a fastener portion 112, a lower wall 114, a filter 116, and anupper wall 118.

The fastener portion 112 is a lower portion of the upper mountingstructure 110 that is configured to receive and attach to the upperattachment portion 132 of the lower mounting structure 130 (as describedfurther herein), as shown in FIGS. 9-10. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS.9-12, the fastener portion 112 includes an inner surface 111 and anouter surface 113 that are substantially opposite each other and definea receptacle or hollow portion that is configured to receive the upperattachment portion 132 of the lower mounting structure 130 and allowsliquid to flow through the fastener portion 112.

The inner surface 111 of the fastener portion 112 directly attaches tothe upper attachment portion 132 of the lower mounting structure 130 andretains the lower mounting structure 130 through a variety of differentmechanisms, such as a friction fit along a relative smooth inner surfaceof the fastener portion 112 or with a threaded attachment (as shown inFIGS. 9-10) in order to attach the valve structure 100 to the watervessel 30. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 9-10, the fastener portion 112may include internal threads 115 that extend along the inner surface 111and are configured to attach to or screw onto complementary threads 135on the outer surface 133 of the lower mounting structure 130.

The outer surface 113 of the fastener portion 112 includes bumps orridges which allows the person assembling the valve structure 100 tofirmly grasp or grip the outside of the upper mounting structure 110 inorder to, for example, attach the upper mounting structure 110 to thelower mounting structure 130 and tighten the upper mounting structure110 to the lower mounting structure 130 (as described further herein).

The lower wall 114 of the upper mounting structure 110 is positionedalong the lower end of the fastener portion 112. The lower wall 114 isconfigured to directly abut against the inner surface 36 of the watervessel 30 (as shown in FIGS. 9-10). In order to increase the stabilityof the valve structure 100 attached to the water vessel 30, the lowerwall 114 has a larger diameter than the rest of the upper mountingstructure 110, which increases the amount of surface contact between theupper mounting structure 110 and the water vessel 30 (and therefore theamount of the wall 32 of the water vessel 30 that is sandwiched betweenthe upper mounting structure 110 and the lower mounting structure 130)without needlessly increasing the materials for the upper mountingstructure 110. In order to prevent the upper mounting structure 110 frommoving through the hole 39 of the water vessel 30, the diameter of thelower wall 114 is larger than the diameter of the hole 39 of the watervessel 30.

The filter 116 of the upper mounting structure 110 of the mountingstructure is configured to filter the liquid in the water vessel 30 inorder to protect the seal member 122 within the valve structure 100,allow the seal member 122 to properly seal, and prevent debris fromclogging other portions of the valve structure 100 (such as the nozzles176). Since the configuration of the valve structure 100 (in particularthe nozzle structure 170, as described further herein) discourages usingthe water in the water vessel 30 for drinking, the filter 116 does nothave to clean the water in order to be drinkable (although the filter116 may be configured to clean the water to be drinkable). The filter116 is positioned along the upper end of the fastener portion 112 (i.e.,opposite the lower wall 114) such that liquid flows from the watervessel 30, through the filter 116 first, and then into and through thefastener portion 112 (and subsequently through the rest of the valvestructure 100, as described further herein). The filter 116 may be avariety of different types of filters, such as a mesh filter. The filter116 may be constructed out of, for example only, stainless steel. Afilter support 117 may extend along at least a portion of the perimeterand the height of the filter 116 in order to provide rigid support tothe filter 116 to prevent the filter 116 from bending. The filtersupport 117 may be positioned inside of, outside of, or along the sideof the filter 116 and has at least one orifice to allow liquid to passcompletely through the filter 116.

The upper wall 118 of the upper mounting structure 110 is positionedalong an upper end of the filter 116 (i.e., opposite the fastenerportion 112 and optionally above the filter 116) and provides an uppersupport for the upper mounting structure 110. According to oneembodiment as shown in FIGS. 11-12, the upper mounting structure 110 ofthe mounting structure includes a hole-perforation feature 119 (e.g., aserrated or sharp edge that extends in a circle) positioned along andextending above the upper wall 118 that is configured to saw or cut thehole 39 in the water vessel 30 (without any other devices, such as adrill) before attaching or installing the valve structure 100 to thewater vessel 30, as shown in FIG. 12. The hole-perforation feature 119ensures that the hole 39 formed in the water vessel 30 is correctlysized in order to properly fit with the valve structure 100. Thehole-perforation feature 119 may extend along a portion of the upperwall 118 or along the entire perimeter of the upper wall 118.Alternatively, the hole-perforation feature 119 may be positioned alonga top portion of the lower mounting structure 130. However, as shown inthe embodiment in FIG. 8, the upper mounting structure 110 does not haveto include the hole-perforation feature 119.

As shown in FIG. 11, the upper mounting structure 110 may alsooptionally include a centering feature 129 that allows the personinstalling the valve structure 100 to more easily and accurately centerthe hole-perforation feature 119 of the upper mounting structure 110 inthe desired location on the water vessel 30 in order to cut out the hole39. The centering feature 129 may also help keep the upper mountingstructure 110 more stable while the hole 39 is being cut (for example,the centering feature 129 may be inserted into a pilot divot in the wall32 of the water vessel 30). In particular, the centering feature 129 maybe a protrusion or extension that extends upwardly from the upper wall118 of the upper mounting structure 110. The centering feature 129 isapproximately the same height (above the upper wall 118) as thehole-perforation feature 119. The centering feature 129 is located alonga center point of the upper wall 118, centered within an area defined bythe hole-perforation feature 119. Therefore, the tip of the centeringfeature 129 is configured to be aligned with the center of the hole 39in the wall 32 that is formed by the hole-perforation feature 119.

Each of the components of the upper mounting structure 110 (except forthe filter 116) may be integral with each other and constructed as asingle-piece such that the upper mounting structure 110 (optionallyexcept for the filter 116) is a single unitary component that cannot beseparated without destruction. The filter 116 may be integrated with ora separate component from the body of the upper mounting structure 110.

Lower Mounting Structure

As shown in FIGS. 9-10, the lower mounting structure 130 (with the uppermounting structure 110) of the mounting structure attaches the rest ofthe valve structure 100 to the water vessel 30 (as described furtherherein). Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 9-10, the lower mountingstructure 130 (e.g., a mounting manifold structure) is configured to bepositioned partially outside of the water vessel 30 and partially withinthe inner area 34 of the water vessel 30 (and within the upper mountingstructure 110). As shown in FIGS. 8-12, the lower mounting structure 130includes an upper attachment portion 132, a base 134, a central passage136, and a control attachment portion 138.

The upper attachment portion 132 is an upper portion of the lowermounting structure 130 that is configured to be inserted into andreceived by the fastener portion 112 of the upper mounting structure110, as shown in FIGS. 9-10. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 8-10, theupper attachment portion 132 includes an outer surface 133 and an innersurface 131 that are substantially opposite each other and allow thelower mounting structure 130 to attach to the upper mounting structure110.

The outer surface 133 of the upper attachment portion 132 of the lowermounting structure 130 directly attaches to the fastener portion 112 ofthe upper mounting structure 110 and is retained by the upper mountingstructure 110 through a variety of different mechanisms, such as afriction fit along a relative smooth outer surface of the upperattachment portion 132 or with a threaded attachment (as shown in FIGS.9-10) in order to attach the valve structure 100 to the water vessel 30.Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 9-10, the upper attachment portion 132may include external threads 135 that extend along the outer surface 133and are configured to attach to or screw into complementary threads 115on the inner surface 111 of the fastener portion 112 of the uppermounting structure 110.

The inner surface 131 of the upper attachment portion 132 of the lowermounting structure 130 is substantially smooth in order to allow thepiston 150 to move within and along the upper attachment portion 132along and through the central passage 136 (as described further herein).

The base 134 of the lower mounting structure 130 is positioned along alower end of the upper attachment portion 132 and is configured todirectly or indirectly abut against the outer surface 38 of the watervessel 30 (as shown in FIGS. 9-10). In order to increase the stabilityof the valve structure 100 attached to the water vessel 30, the base 134has a larger diameter than the rest of the lower mounting structure 130,which increases the amount of surface contact between the lower mountingstructure 130 and the water vessel 30 (and therefore the amount of thewall 32 of the water vessel 30 that is sandwiched between the uppermounting structure 110 and the lower mounting structure 130) withoutneedlessly increasing the materials for the lower mounting structure130. In order to prevent the lower mounting structure 130 from movingthrough the hole 39 of the water vessel 30, the diameter of the base 134is larger than the diameter of the hole 39 of the water vessel 30.

The upper attachment portion 132 and the base 134 together define acentral hollow portion, aperture, or passage 136 that extends completelythrough the lower mounting structure 130 and the base 134. The centralpassage 136 provides an area for the piston 150 to move within and along(as described further herein) and allows liquid to flow from the watervessel 30, into and through the upper mounting structure 110, andthrough the lower mounting structure 130.

The control structure attachment portion (referred to herein as thecontrol attachment portion 138) of the lower mounting structure 130extends from a lower surface of the base 134 and provides an area forthe control structure (i.e., the handle structure 180 and/or the footpedal structure 190) to movably attach to the lower mounting structure130. Accordingly, the control attachment portion 138 includes at leastone attachment notch or aperture 139 that a portion of the controlstructure (e.g., the rotational rod 182) can attach to or extendthrough. Optionally, the control attachment portion 138 may extend fromtwo opposite sides of the base 134 and thus includes two attachmentapertures 139 that are aligned with each other along their length suchthat the rotational rod 182 can extend through the two attachmentapertures 139 of the control attachment portion 138 for greaterstability.

Each of the components of the lower mounting structure 130 may beintegral with each other and constructed as a single-piece such that thelower mounting structure 130 is a single unitary component that cannotbe separated without destruction.

Gasket

The mounting structure of the valve structure 100 may optionally includea gasket 120 that is positioned between the top surface of the base 134of the lower mounting structure 130 and the outer surface 38 of thewater vessel 30 and extends around the hole 39 of the water vessel 30(and around the central passage 136 of the lower mounting structure130). The gasket 120 allows the valve structure 100 to more firmly andsealably attach to the wall 32 of the water vessel 30 by compressing thegasket 120 against the outer surface 38 of the water vessel 30. In orderto seal to the water vessel 30, the gasket 120 may be constructed outof, for example, foam, rubber, or another suitable material.

Piston

The dispensing structure includes the piston 150 in order to control thefluid flow (i.e., prevent or allow the flow of fluid through the valvestructure 100). In particular, the piston 150 (e.g., the flow tube,sliding piece, shuttle, or cylindrical part) is configured to be movedby the control structure within a portion of the valve structure 100(i.e., within the mounting structure) in order to allow liquid to flowthrough the valve structure 100 (i.e., when the valve structure 100 isin the open position 104) or prevent liquid from flowing through thevalve structure 100 (i.e., when the valve structure 100 is in the closedposition 102), as described further herein. Specifically, the piston 150is positioned and movable or slidable within the central passage 136 ofthe lower mounting structure 130 and within the space defined by thefilter 116 of the upper mounting structure 110 (i.e., the area beneaththe lower surface of the upper wall 118 of the upper mounting structure110 and on the clean side of the filter 116).

As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the piston 150 has a side wall 152 and an upperwall 158. The side wall 152 extends in a substantially circular mannerand thereby defines the substantially hollow, cylindrical shape of thepiston 150. As shown in FIGS. 9-10, the side wall 152 defines a centralpassage 156 that extends along a portion of the length of the piston 150that liquid can flow within and through. The upper wall 158 ispositioned along and closes off the top of the side wall 152, and thebottom of the side wall 152 is substantially open such that liquidcannot flow through the top of the piston 150, but can flow through thebottom of the piston 150.

The top portion of the side wall 152 includes at least one orifice orflow aperture 154 that extends through the side wall 152 of the piston150 and fluidly connects to the central passage 156 of the side wall152. The flow aperture 154 is positioned toward the top end of the sidewall 152 (but below the upper wall 158) such that liquid can flow intothe piston 150 toward the top of the piston 150 (in the open position104).

The piston 150 includes a seal member 122 positioned along the outsideof the side wall 152 in order to allow the piston 150 to seal with otherareas of the valve structure 100 (in particular the mounting structure)to prevent leakage and/or to close off the valve structure 100. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 9, the seal member 122 is positioned along atop portion of the piston 150 (i.e., below the upper wall 158 and abovethe flow aperture 154) in order to seal the top of the piston 150 to atop portion of the central passage 136 of the lower mounting structure130 in the closed position 102. Accordingly, the seal member 122prevents liquid from flowing into the piston 150 when the valvestructure 100 is in the closed position 102. Furthermore, the sealmember 122 prevents the piston 150 from falling out of or detaching fromthe lower mounting structure 130.

The piston 150 may optionally include other seal members in order toseal portions of the piston 150 to other areas of the valve structure100 such as to a bottom portion of the central passage 136 of the lowermounting structure 130 (to prevent liquid from leaking along the outsideof the piston 150 when the valve structure 100 is in the open position104) or to the nozzle structure 170 (to prevent liquid from leaking outof the top of the nozzle structure 170).

Accordingly, as described further herein, when the valve structure 100is in the open position 104, liquid from the water vessel 30 can flowthrough the filter 116 of the upper mounting structure 110 (into thecentral area of the upper mounting structure 110), into and through theflow apertures 154 of the piston 150, through the central passage 156 ofthe piston 150, and out the end of the piston 150 (and into the nozzlestructure 170, as described further herein). When the valve structure100 is in the closed position 102, the seal member 122 seals with theinner surface of the lower mounting structure 130 (along the centralpassage 136) and thus prevents liquid from the water vessel 30 fromflowing into the piston 150 (through the flow aperture 154) and thusfrom flowing out through the nozzle structure 170.

The bottom of the side wall 152 may extend along the length and width ofthe nozzle structure 170 such that the opening at the bottom of the sidewall 152 is relatively large (compared to the upper portion of the sidewall 152). The bottom of the side wall 152 is configured to attach toand align with the upper attachment portion 172 of the nozzle structure170. Accordingly, the bottom of the side wall 152 and the upperattachment portion 172 of the nozzle structure 170 are complementary toeach other.

The side wall 152 also includes at least one attachment aperture 159that a portion of the control structure (e.g., the piston rod 184) canattach to or extend through. Optionally, the side wall 152 may includetwo attachment apertures 159 that are aligned with each other alongtheir length such that the piston rod 184 can extend through both of thetwo attachment apertures 159 of the piston 150 for greater stability. Byreceiving the piston rod 184, the piston 150 can be moved up and down(between the closed position 102 and the open position 104) by thecontrol structure.

Spring

According to one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 8-10, the valve structure100 includes the spring 124 to provide an additional force to bias thevalve structure 100 (in particular the dispensing structure) to movefrom the open position 104 into the closed position 102. The spring 124is positioned between the mounting structure and the control structure.In particular, the spring 124 is positioned directly beneath the lowersurface of the upper wall 118 of the upper mounting structure 110 (i.e.,within space defined by the filter 116) and directly above (and alongthe upper surface of) the upper wall 158 of the piston 150.

In order to bias the valve structure 100 to move into the closedposition 102, the spring 124 is a compression spring that is biased tomove into an expanded state. Accordingly, the spring 124 continuallypresses against and pushes apart the lower surface of the upper wall 118of the upper mounting structure 110 and the upper surface of the upperwall 158 of the piston 150, which moves the valve structure 100 towardand into the closed position 102. Since the weight of the handlestructure 180 and the weight of the liquid in the water vessel 30 alsowork to move the valve structure 100 into the closed position 102, thespring 124 provides assistance in moving the valve structure 100 intothe closed position 102 and maintaining the valve structure 100 sealedin the closed position 102.

However, the valve structure 100 does not have to include the spring 124in order to properly function. Furthermore, the exact position of thespring 124 may vary according to various embodiments.

Nozzle Structure

The dispensing structure includes the nozzle structure 170 in order torelease the water from the water vessel 30 in a particular manner. Thenozzle structure 170 of the valve structure 100 is configured to sprayor release out liquid from the valve structure 100 and onto the hands ofthe user (when in the open position 104). As shown in FIG. 10 (as wellas FIG. 20), any liquid that flows through the central passage 156 ofthe piston 150 flows directly into the nozzle structure 170. As shown inFIGS. 9-10, the nozzle structure 170 is statically attached to thepiston 150 such that the nozzle structure 170 moves with the piston 150as the valve structure 100 moves between the closed position 102 and theopen position 104.

The nozzle structure 170 is approximately cylindrical and relativelylong and narrow along a horizontal plane. In particular, the nozzlestructure 170 includes a horizontal length and a horizontal width. Thehorizontal length is substantially larger than the horizontal width.Accordingly, the nozzle structure 170 is relatively long in a horizontaldirection substantially parallel to the rotational axis 181 (as shown inFIGS. 7 and 9-10) of the control structure and relatively narrow in ahorizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis181 (as described further herein).

The nozzle structure 170 (e.g., the spray bar) includes walls thatdefine an upper attachment portion 172, a central passage 174, and atleast one nozzle 176 (preferably a plurality of nozzles 176). As shownin FIGS. 9-10 (and FIGS. 18 and 20), the upper attachment portion 172 ofthe nozzle structure 170 is configured to attach to the open end portionof the piston 150 (at the bottom of the side wall 152 of the piston150). For example, the upper attachment portion 172 of the nozzlestructure 170 may extend either around the outside of or at leastpartially into the end of the side wall 152 of the piston 150 such thatone of the nozzle structure 170 or the piston 150 extends partiallywithin the other.

As shown in FIGS. 8-10 (and FIGS. 18 and 20), the central hollowportion, area, or passage 174 extends completely through the nozzlestructure 170 and provides an area for the water to flow (from thepiston 150) to flow through (and out from the nozzle structure 170 ontothe user's hands). Due to the relatively long and narrow overall shapeof the nozzle structure 170, the central passage 174 is alsoapproximately cylindrical and relatively long and narrow along thehorizontal plane.

As shown in FIGS. 8-10 and 13, the nozzles 176 of the nozzle structure170 (e.g., a spout, hole, aperture, or orifice) extend from and throughthe bottom surface of the wall of the nozzle structure 170 (i.e., alongthe side of the nozzle structure 170 that is opposite the upperattachment portion 172 of the nozzle structure 170). Accordingly, liquidflows out from the central passage 174 and into and through the nozzles176 due to gravity and subsequently exits out of the nozzle structure170 (and the entire valve structure 100) through the nozzles 176. Thenozzles 176 are positioned along the horizontal length of the centralpassage 174 (and the nozzle structure 170), which provides a relativelywide area of liquid coverage from the nozzles 176. There may be anynumber of nozzles 176, depending on the desired configuration of thenozzle structure 170. According to one embodiment, the nozzle structure170 includes nine nozzles 176 positioned in a single row along thehorizontal length of the nozzle structure 170.

Each of the nozzles 176 are positioned at different angles from adjacentnozzles 176 in order to cover more area (of the user's hands, forexample) with liquid and spread and disperse liquid over the user'shands more completely, while minimizing the required liquid flow rate.For example, as shown in FIG. 13, each of the nozzles 176 in the singlerow are alternatively angled forward and backward. This configuration ofthe nozzles 176 (i.e., the multiple small nozzles 176 positioned alongthe long horizontal length of the central passage 174 and at variousangles) reduces the amount of water needed to wash and rinse the user'shands (while still adequately covering the user's hands), which allowsthe valve structure 100 to be have relatively low flow rate, therebyconserving water.

Due to the long shape and orientation of the central passage 174 and howthe nozzles 176 are alternatively angled, it is difficult and notintuitive for the user to fill up drinking receptacles or vessels, whichdiscourages and prevents the user from filling up drinking vessels(e.g., cups or water bottles) in the handwashing station 20.Accordingly, the water vessel 30 can be filled with water that is notnecessarily drinkable, which provides more opportunity for the watervessel 30 to be refilled.

Additionally, the nozzle structure 170 includes at least one dripdeflector 178 that prevents excess liquid from interfering with the flowthrough the nozzles 176. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the nozzlestructure 170 includes two drip deflectors 178 that extend along theentire horizontal length of the nozzle structure 170 on both sides ofand along all of the nozzles 176. The drip deflectors 178 are the lowestpoint along the bottom surface of the nozzle structure 170 (from whichthe nozzles 176 extend from) such that excess liquid along the outsideof the nozzle structure 170 moves to the drip deflectors 178 rather thantoward the nozzles 176. For example, in order for excess water to reachthe nozzles 176, the water would have to move upward along thehorizontal width of the nozzle structure 170 to reach the nozzles 176from the outside edges of the nozzle structure 170. Accordingly, theexcess water instead drips off of the bottom surfaces of the dripdeflectors 178. The drips may be from, for example, excess water thatleaks from the outside of the piston 150 when the valve structure 100 isin the open position 104.

Control Structure

The control structure includes a rotational rod 182, a piston rod 184,and the handle structure 180 (and/or the foot pedal structure 190, asdescribed further herein) in order to provide a mechanism for the userto control whether the valve structure 100 is in the closed position 102or in the open position 104. As described further herein, by rotatingthe handle structure 180 upward (or by pressing down on the foot pedal198, as described further herein), the user can move the valve structure100 from the closed position 102 to the open position 104 in order towash their hands.

The control structure (which includes the handle structure 180 and/orthe foot pedal structure 190) is configured to move relative to themounting structure and the water vessel 30 and is configured to move thedispensing structure at the same time relative to the mounting structureand the water vessel 30 as the valve structure 100 moves between theclosed position 102 and the open position 104. The control structure isconfigured to be moved by pressure from a portion of the user's body (inparticular a portion other than the user's hands, such as at least oneof the user's wrist or foot) while the user's hands are underneath thedispensing structure in order to move the dispensing structure from theclosed position 102 to the open position 104.

Handle Structure

The handle structure 180 is configured (and therefore positioned) to belifted upward by a portion of the user's body other than their hand(i.e., their wrist) to move the dispensing structure from the closedposition 102 to the open position 104. Accordingly, the handle structure180 includes at least one lift arm 186 and a handle 188. The lift arms186 connect and extend between the rotational rod 182, the piston rod184, and the handle 188. Accordingly, the lift arms 186 aresubstantially perpendicular to the rotational rod 182, the piston rod184, and the handle 188 (and the rotational rod 182, the piston rod 184,and the handle 188 are substantially parallel to each other). The liftarms 186 may include multiple different attachment notches or apertures189 that provide an area to attach to the ends of each of the rotationalrod 182 and the piston rod 184. According to one embodiment as shown inFIG. 8, the handle structure 180 includes two lift arms 186 that arepositioned along both sides of the rotational rod 182, the piston rod184, and the handle structure 180. Accordingly, pairs of attachmentapertures 189 on the lift arms 186 may be aligned with each other inorder to attach to each end of the rotational rod 182 and the piston rod184. As shown in FIG. 8 (as well as FIGS. 17 and 19), the attachmentapertures 189 for the piston rod 184 may be slots and have an oblongshape that extends at least partially along the length of the lift arms186, which allows the piston rod 184 to move vertically with the piston150 as the lift arms 186 are rotated about the rotational axis 181 (asshown in FIGS. 7 and 9-10) without causing strain within the valvestructure 100.

As shown in FIGS. 9-10, the lift arms 186 horizontally space the handle188 out away from the dispensing structure (in particular the nozzlestructure 170) such that the user's hand can be positioned underneaththe dispensing structure (in particular the nozzle structure 170) whilethe user's wrist is positioned under the handle 188 during use. Thisconfiguration allows the user to wet, wash, and rinse their hand underthe nozzle structure 170 while keeping the valve structure in the openposition 104 by pushing upward on the handle 188 with their wrist, asshown and described further herein. The lift arms 186 also verticallyspace the handle 188 away from and below the nozzle structure 170 whilethe valve structure 100 is in the closed position 102 (as shown in FIG.9) such that, once the user lifts up the handle 188 to move the valvestructure 100 into the open position 104, the user's hands arerelatively close to (without hitting) the bottom of the nozzle structure170.

The rotational rod 182 rotationally connects a back end of the lift arms186 (i.e., the end opposite to the handle 188) to the lower mountingstructure 130 (via the attachment apertures 139 on the controlattachment portion 138 of the lower mounting structure 130). The handlestructure 180 rotates about the rotational axis 181 (that extends alongand is defined by the rotational rod 182 and is approximatelyhorizontal) between the closed position 102 and the open position 104.The rotational rod 182 may be rotatably attached to at least one of thelower mounting structure 130 or the lift arms 186.

The central or piston rod 184 rotationally connects a middle portion ofthe lift arms 186 (i.e., a portion between the back end of the lift arms186 and the handle 188) to the piston 150 (via the attachment apertures159 on the side wall 152 of the piston 150). Accordingly, as the handlestructure 180 rotates about the rotational axis 181, the handlestructure 180 forces the piston 150 to slide up and down within theupper mounting structure 110 and the lower mounting structure 130 toopen and close the valve structure 100. The piston rod 184 may berotatably attached to at least one of the piston 150 or the lift arms186. However, according to various embodiments, the handle structure 180may not include the rotational rod 182 and/or the piston rod 184.

The handle 188 provides an area for the user to contact to move thevalve structure 100 between the closed position 102 and the openposition 104. For example, as described and shown further herein, theuser may use one or both of their wrists to move or push the handle 188upward and thereby move the valve structure 100 (in particular thedispensing structure) from the closed position 102 and into the openposition 104 to wash their hands. The handle 188 extends between andconnects the front ends of the lift arms 186 (such that the handle 188and the rotational rod 182 are on opposite ends of the lift arms 186).The handle 188 may be rotationally or statically attached to the liftarms 186. Additionally, the handle 188 and the lift arms 186 may beseparate attachable pieces or may be one integral piece that isconstructed as a single-piece such that handle 188 and the lift arms 186are a single unitary component that cannot be separated withoutdestruction.

As shown in FIGS. 7-10, the handle structure 180 comprises a visualindicator 187 that provides a visual indication to the user of how tooperate the valve structure 100. For example, the visual indicator 187may be an arrow pointing upward, thereby indicating to the user to movethe handle structure 180 upward to operate the valve structure 100. Thevisual indicator 187 may be positioned on a visually predominate area ofthe handle structure 180 (e.g., the front, top of the handle structure180), in particular an area that the user should move to operate thevalve structure 100 (e.g., the handle 188).

Valve Structure and Water Vessel Assembly

The valve structure 100 is configured to be attached or mounted to thewater vessel 30. In order to attach the valve structure 100 to the watervessel 30, the hole 39 is first formed in the bottom of the water vessel30. The hole 39 may be formed by drilling into the bottom of the watervessel 30 with a drill or, if the valve structure 100 includes thehole-perforation feature 119 (and optionally the centering feature 129),by aligning the centering feature 129 with the desired center of thehole 39 (to be formed) and then rotating or pressing thehole-perforation feature 119 of the upper mounting structure 110 of thevalve structure 100 along or into (respectively) the wall 32 of thewater vessel 30. The gasket 120 is positioned on the top of the base 134of the lower mounting structure 130 (such that the gasket 120 ispositioned around the upper attachment portion 132 of the lower mountingstructure 130) or is positioned along the outer surface 38 of the watervessel 30 around the hole 39. The lower mounting structure 130 is thenpartially inserted into the hole 39 of the water vessel 30 such that theupper attachment portion 132 of the lower mounting structure 130 extendsinto the inner area 34 of the water vessel 30 (and the base 134 ispositioned outside of the water vessel 30) and the gasket 120 issandwiched between the outer surface 38 of the water vessel 30 and thetop of the base 134 of the lower mounting structure 130. The uppermounting structure 110 is moved or positioned inside of the water vessel30, and the fastener portion 112 of the upper mounting structure 110 issubsequently attached and tightened to the upper attachment portion 132of the lower mounting structure 130 within the water vessel 30. Thedispensing structure (i.e., the piston 150 (with the seal member 122attached) and the nozzle structure 170) and the control structure (i.e.,the handle structure 180 and/or the foot pedal structure 190) areattached to the lower mounting structure 130 before or after the lowermounting structure 130 and the upper mounting structure 110 are attachedto each other.

According to one embodiment (as shown in FIGS. 9-10), the fastenerportion 112 of the upper mounting structure 110 and the upper attachmentportion 132 of the lower mounting structure 130 are attached to eachother by a threaded attachment by screwing the internal threads 115 ofthe upper mounting structure 110 onto the external threads 135 of thelower mounting structure 130. Alternatively, the fastener portion 112 ofthe upper mounting structure 110 and the upper attachment portion 132 ofthe lower mounting structure 130 may be attached to each other through aform-fit attachment by pressing the fastener portion 112 of the uppermounting structure 110 (without any threads) tightly over the upperattachment portion 132 of the lower mounting structure 130 (without anythreads).

Valve Structure Operation

Once the valve structure 100 has been attached to the water vessel 30,the valve structure 100 may be used. FIGS. 14-16 show operation of thehandwashing station 20 by using the handle structure 180. However, asdescribed further herein, the handwashing station 20 may alternativelyor additionally be operated with the foot pedal structure 190, dependingon the configuration of the valve structure 100.

In order to use the valve structure 100 that is attached to the watervessel 30, the water vessel 30 is first filled with a liquid (e.g.,water). Once the water vessel 30 contains the liquid, users can then usethe handwashing station 20 to wash their hands, as shown in FIGS. 14-16.First, as shown in FIG. 14, the user moves at least one of their handsunderneath the nozzle structure 170 of the valve structure 100 and atleast one of their wrists underneath the handle 188 while the valvestructure 100 is in the closed position 102. The user then uses theirwrist to activate or operate the valve structure 100 by moving thehandle 188 upward with their wrist (as shown in FIG. 15), which movesthe valve structure 100 (and thus the dispensing structure) from theclosed position 102 to the open position 104 and thus allows liquid toflow out of the water vessel 30, through the valve structure 100, outfrom the valve structure 100 through the nozzle structure 170, and ontothe user's hand(s). While the user's wrist(s) is pushing up the handle188, the user can wet, wash, or rinse their hand(s) (as shown in FIG.15). Once the user lowers their wrist(s) or moves their wrists away fromthe handle 188 once they are done or in order to soap their hands, forexample (as shown in FIG. 16), the handle 188 automatically movesdownward due to the self-closing configuration of the valve structure100 (as described further herein), which moves the valve structure 100back into the closed position 102 and prevents any liquid from beingdispensed from the water vessel 30 through the valve structure 100.

The user may activate and use the valve structure 100 (i.e., move thevalve structure 100 into and keep the valve structure 100 in the openposition 104) with any side of their wrist (e.g., the underside, thesides, or the topside of the wrist). Additionally, the user may move androtate their hand(s) around while the liquid is being dispensed and theuser's wrist or arm is still pressing the handle structure 180 up inorder to fully wet or rinse their hands.

FIGS. 17-20 show how the various components of the valve structure 100are positioned and move as the valve structure 100 is moved between theclosed position 102 and the open position 104. More specifically, in theclosed position 102 (as shown in FIGS. 17-18), the lift arms 186 areangled downward from the rotational rod 182 such that the handle 188 isvertically lower than the rotational rod 182 (as shown in FIG. 17).Accordingly, the handle structure 180 pulls the piston 150 downwardthrough the piston rod 184 such that the piston 150 is relatively lowwithin the central passage 136 of the lower mounting structure 130,which closes off the valve structure 100. More specifically, due to theposition of the piston 150, the seal member 122 is sealed to the top ofthe central passage 136 of the lower mounting structure 130, whichprevents any liquid from the water vessel 30 from moving into the piston150 through the flow aperture 154 of the piston 150 (and prevents thepiston 150 from moving out of the lower mounting structure 130), therebypreventing liquid from moving through the valve structure 100 at all, asshown in FIG. 18.

In order to move the valve structure 100 from the closed position 102 tothe open position 104, the user first lifts or raises the handle 188with their wrist(s), which pivots the handle structure 180 about therotational axis 181 (that extends along the length of the rotational rod182) relative to the lower mounting structure 130 (and the water vessel30). By rotating the handle 188 upward about the rotational axis 181,the lift arms 186 move the piston rod 184 vertically upward (since thepiston rod 184 is on the same side of the rotational axis 181 as thehandle 188). Since the piston rod 184 is attached to the piston 150,this movement of the piston rod 184 forces the piston 150 to move upwardwithin the central passage 136 of the lower mounting structure 130,which lifts the seal member 122 off of the top of the central passage136 of the lower mounting structure 130 and breaks the top seal, therebyallowing liquid to enter into the piston 150 through the flow apertures154, through the rest of the valve structure 100, and out of the valvestructure 100, onto the user's hands. As the handle structure 180 ismoved, the rotational rod 182 may rotate relative to at least one of thelift arms 186 and the lower mounting structure 130, the piston rod 184may rotate relative to at least one of the lift arms 186 and the piston150, and the handle 188 may optionally rotate relative to the lift arms186.

In the open position 104 (as shown in FIGS. 19-20), the lift arms 186are angled upward (relative to the closed position 102) and may be atapproximately the same height as the rotational rod 182 (as shown inFIG. 19). Accordingly, the handle structure 180 lifts the piston rod 184upward, which pulls the piston 150 up relatively high within the centralpassage 136 of the lower mounting structure 130 and thus opens the valvestructure 100. More specifically, due to the position of the piston 150,the seal member 122 is separated from (and not sealed to) the top of thecentral passage 136 of the lower mounting structure 130, which allowsliquid from the water vessel 30 to move into the piston 150 through theflow aperture 154 of the piston 150, as shown in FIG. 20. Accordingly,liquid from the water vessel 30 flows through the filter 116, into thepiston 150 through the flow aperture 154 of the piston 150, downwardthrough the open end of the piston 150, into the nozzle structure 170through the upper attachment portion 172, out from the nozzle structure170 (thereby exiting the entire valve structure 100) through the nozzles176, and onto the user's hands.

Self-Closing Feature of the Valve Structure

In order to conserve water and prevent the water from needlesslyrunning, the valve structure 100 is self-closing and automatically stopsthe flow of liquid through the valve structure 100 (and thus moves fromthe open position 104 to the closed position 102) once the user hasstopped pressing the handle 188 upward and has moved their wrist awayfrom the handle 188 (e.g., once the user has finished washing theirhands, while the user is scrubbing their hands with soap, or betweenuses). Both the weight of the liquid within the water vessel 30 and theweight distribution of the valve structure 100 cause the valve structure100 to be biased to move into the closed position 102.

More specifically, the weight of the liquid within the water vessel 30pushes or presses downward on the upper wall 158 of the piston 150,which presses the entire piston 150 downward within the central passage136 of the lower mounting structure 130. This downward motion of thepiston 150 forces the seal member 122 to firmly seal with the top of thecentral passage 136 and thereby prevents any liquid from flowing fromthe water vessel 30 into the piston 150 (through the flow aperture 154),which thus moves the valve structure 100 into the closed position 102.

The weight distribution of the valve structure 100 also biases the valvestructure 100 to move into the closed position 102. More specifically,since the rotational rod 182 is attached to the back end of the liftarms 186 (i.e., the end of the lift arms 186 that is opposite the handle188, which is along the front end of the lift arms 186), the majority ofthe weight of the lift arms 186 as well as the weight of the handle 188is positioned along one side of the rotational rod 182 along the liftarms 186. Accordingly, the front end of the lift arms 186 (i.e., the endof the lift arms 186 corresponding to the handle 188) is biased torotate downward about the rotational axis 181 that extends along thelength of the rotational rod 182. Since the piston rod 184 is attachedto the lift arms 186 along the same side of the rotational rod 182 asthe front end of the lift arms 186, the lift arms 186 pull the pistonrod 184 downward within the central passage 136 of the lower mountingstructure 130 as the handle structure 180 rotates downward about therotational axis 181 due to the weight of the handle structure 180. Thisdownward motion of the piston 150 also forces the seal member 122 tofirmly seal with the top of the central passage 136 and thereby preventsany liquid from flowing from the water vessel 30 into the piston 150(through the flow aperture 154), which thus moves the valve structure100 into the closed position 102 (similar to the effect of the weight ofthe liquid within the water vessel 30).

As shown in FIGS. 9-10 and as described further herein, the valvestructure 100 may include the spring 124 which further assists inbiasing the valve structure 100 to move into the closed position 102 (inaddition to the weight of the liquid within the water vessel 30 and theweight distribution of the valve structure 100). More specifically,since the spring 124 is positioned between the bottom surface of theupper wall 118 of the upper mounting structure 110 and the top surfaceof the upper wall 158 of the piston 150, the spring 124 pushes the upperwall 158 of the piston 150 downward through the central passage 136 ofthe lower mounting structure 130, away from the upper wall 118 of theupper mounting structure 110. Accordingly, the piston 150 is moveddownward within the central passage 136 of the lower mounting structure130. This downward motion of the piston 150 also forces the seal member122 to firmly seal with the top of the central passage 136 and therebyprevents any liquid from flowing from the water vessel 30 into thepiston 150 (through the flow aperture 154), which thus moves the valvestructure 100 into the closed position 102 (similar to the effect of theweight of the liquid within the water vessel 30). However, according toanother embodiment, the valve structure 100 does not include the spring124 and instead relies on the weight of the liquid within the watervessel 30 and the weight distribution of the handle structure 180 tocause the valve structure 100 to be biased toward the closed position102.

Foot Pedal Structure

According to various embodiments as shown in FIGS. 21-26, the controlstructure may include a foot pedal structure 190 (in addition to orinstead of the handle structure 180) in order to allow the user to usetheir foot to operate and activate the valve structure 100.

According to one embodiment as shown in FIG. 21, the control structureincludes both the handle structure 180 and the foot pedal structure 190and accordingly can be activated and operated with the handle structure180 (with the user's wrist) and/or the foot pedal structure 190 (withthe user's foot), depending on the user's preference, to move thedispensing structure from the closed position 102 to the open position104. According to another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 22-23, the valvestructure 100 includes the foot pedal structure 190 (and not the handlestructure 180) and accordingly is activated and operated only with thefoot pedal structure 190 (with the user's foot). According to anotherembodiment as shown in FIG. 7 and as described further herein, thecontrol structure includes the handle structure 180 (and not the footpedal structure 190) and accordingly is activated and operated only withthe handle structure 180 (with the user's wrist).

While the handle structure 180 is configured to be operated by theuser's wrist (or a portion of their arm), the foot pedal structure 190is configured to be operated by the user's foot. Accordingly, the footpedal structure 190 includes a lever 194, a cable 196, a cable housing195, and a foot pedal 198.

As shown in FIG. 26, the lever 194 may include two substantiallysymmetrical lever components on opposite sides of the lower mountingstructure 130 and a pull rod 192 extending between and connecting thetwo lever components. Similar to the lift arms 186, the lever 194 alsoincludes respective pairs of attachment apertures 189 along the levercomponents that are configured to receive the rotational rod 182 and thepiston rod 184. The attachment apertures 189 of the lever 194 may beconfigured in a similar manner as the attachment apertures 189 of thelift arms 186, and the rotational rod 182 and the piston rod 184 areattached to the lever 194 in a similar manner as the lift arms 186, asdescribed further herein.

As shown in FIGS. 21-23, a back portion of the lever 194 extends behindthe rotational rod 182 and the pull rod 192 (as further shown in FIG.26) statically connects the two lever components along the back portionof the lever 194. The pull rod 192 is positioned on an opposite side ofthe rotational rod 182 as the piston rod 184 (such that the rotationalrod 182 is positioned in between the pull rod 192 and the piston rod 184along the length of the lift arm 186).

As shown in FIGS. 21-23, the lever 194 is a separate component from thehandle structure 180. However, according to another embodiment, thelever 194 may optionally be statically attached to a portion of thehandle structure 180, such as the lift arms 186, such that the lever 194and the handle structure 180 move congruently together. In particular,the lever 194 may extend from the back end of the lift arm(s) 186 (i.e.,along a side of the rotational rod 182 that is opposite the piston rod184).

The cable 196 extends between and movably connects the lever 194 and thefoot pedal 198. In particular, a top end of the string, rope, or cable196 is attached to the pull rod 192 of the lever 194 (as shown in FIG.26), and a bottom end of the cable 196 is attached to an inner area ofthe foot pedal 198, such as the second one of the cable supports 193 (asshown in FIGS. 24-25). A middle portion of the cable 196 is positionedand movable within the cable housing 195.

With the foot pedal structure 190, the lower mounting structure 130includes an extension with a stop 146 and an aperture 147 extendingcompletely through the stop 146 (as shown in FIG. 26) in order to guidethe cable 196 and provide an area to secure the cable housing 195 toallow the foot pedal 198 to properly function. The stop 146 prevents thecable housing 195 from moving while the cable 196 is moved within thecable housing 195. The stop 146 and its aperture 147 are positionedbetween the pull rod 192 and the foot pedal 198, preferably near anddirectly beneath the pull rod 192. The cable 196 extends completelythrough and is movable within the aperture 147.

The cable housing 195 is configured to receive a middle portion of thecable 196 and extends between the stop 146 and a portion of the footpedal 198 before the first cable support 193 (along the length of thecable 196). The cable housing 195 cannot move completely through theaperture 147 and cannot significantly move relative to the stop 146 andthe foot pedal 198. The cable 196 is positioned within the cable housing195 and extends beyond both ends of the cable housing 195 in order toattach to the pull rod 192 along its upper end and an inner portion(e.g., the second cable support 193) of the foot pedal 198 along itslower end.

As shown in FIGS. 22-23, the foot pedal 198 includes a base 197 and amovable platform 199. The base 197 is positioned on the ground or lowersurface, and the movable platform 199 is movably attached to the base197. As shown in FIGS. 24-25, the movable platform 199 is movably orpivotably attached to the base 197 along one lower edge or side of themovable platform 199 and is configured to rotate relative to the base197 about a rotational axis 91 that extends through the lower edge ofthe movable platform 199.

As shown in FIGS. 24-25, the base 197 includes two cable supports 193that extend upwardly from an upper surface of a bottom wall of the base197. The first cable support 193 is positioned is closer to the end ofthe cable housing 195 along the length of the cable 196, and the secondcable support 193 is positioned further from the end of the cablehousing 195 along the length of the cable 196. The cable 196 movablyextends through or within the first cable support 193 and is staticallyattached to the second cable support 193. The two cable support 193 maybe at approximately the same height as each other with the cable 196(without the cable housing 195) extending between the two cable supports193.

As further shown in FIGS. 24-25, the movable platform 199 includes anextension 191 that extends downwardly from a bottom surface of a topwall of the movable platform 199. The extension 191 is positioned suchthat, in the closed position 102 (as shown in FIG. 24), the extension191 is above and does not extend into the area that the cable 196extends along between the two cable supports 193. Accordingly, in theclosed position 102, the cable 196 extends in a substantially straightline between the two cable supports 193. In the open position 104 (asshown in FIG. 25), however, the extension 191 moves to an area inbetween the two cable supports 193 and thus into the area that the cable196 extends along between the two cable supports 193. Accordingly, inthe open position 104, the extension 191 bends the portion of the cable196 that is between the two cable supports 193.

In order to operate the valve structure 100 with the foot pedalstructure and to move the valve structure 100 from the closed position102 (as shown in FIGS. 22 and 24) to the open position 104 (as shown inFIGS. 23 and 25), the user pushes (and thus moves) the top surface ofthe top wall of the movable platform 199 downward toward and relative tothe base 197 with their foot, which moves the extension 191 of themovable platform 199 downward toward the portion of the cable 196 thatis within the foot pedal 198 and between the two cable supports 193. Theextension 191 thus bends the cable 196, which pulls more of the cable196 into the foot pedal 198 and effectively shortens the length of thecable 196 that is between the foot pedal 198 and the pull rod 192. Thus,the cable 196 is pulled downward, which pulls the pull rod 192 andtherefore the back of the lever 194 downward. By pulling the back of thelever 194 of downward, the lever 194 rotates about the rotational axis181 that extends through the rotational rod 182, which lifts the pistonrod 184 (and therefore the piston 150) and thus moves the valvestructure 100 from the closed position 102 into the open position 104(as described further herein). When the user lifts their foot off of thefoot pedal 198, the valve structure 100 automatically moves from theopen position 104 to the closed position 102 due to the self-closingconfiguration of the valve structure 100, as described further herein.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, as used herein, mean thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removableor releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or thetwo members and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two membersor the two members and any additional intermediate members beingattached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation ofvarious elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientationof various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

The construction and arrangement of the elements of the handwashingvalve structure as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrativeonly. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure havebeen described in detail, those skilled in the art who review thisdisclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible(e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes andproportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mountingarrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of thesubject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formedmay be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position ofelements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or numberof discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied.

Additionally, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as anexample, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design describedherein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments or designs (and such term is notintended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinaryor superlative examples). Rather, use of the word “exemplary” isintended to present concepts in a concrete manner. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent disclosure. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, andomissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, andarrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure.

Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also bemade in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the variousexemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, any element disclosed in one embodiment may beincorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein.Also, for example, the order or sequence of any process or method stepsmay be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Anymeans-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures describedherein as performing the recited function and not only structuralequivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions,modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design,operating configuration, and arrangement of the preferred and otherexemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A handwashing system comprising: a dispenserattachable to a liquid vessel to dispense a liquid from the liquidvessel and movable between a closed position in which liquid cannot flowthrough the handwashing system and an open position in which liquidflows from the liquid vessel and through and out from the handwashingsystem; and a controller coupled to the dispenser and configured to movethe dispenser between the closed position and the open position, whereinthe controller is positioned relative to the dispenser to be moved bypressure from a user's foot to move the dispenser from the closedposition to the open position, wherein the dispenser is configured toautomatically move from the open position to the closed position in theabsence of any pressure from the user's foot onto the controller.
 2. Thehandwashing system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a footpedal structure that comprises a foot pedal that is configured to bedepressed by the user's foot to move the dispenser from the closedposition to the open position.
 3. The handwashing system of claim 2,wherein the controller further comprises a handle that is liftableupward by the user's wrist to move the dispenser from the closedposition to the open position.
 4. The handwashing system of claim 2,wherein the foot pedal structure further comprises a lever that isconfigured to move the dispenser between the closed position and theopen position by rotating.
 5. The handwashing system of claim 4, whereinthe foot pedal structure further comprises a cable that extends betweenand movably connects the lever and the foot pedal.
 6. The handwashingsystem of claim 5, wherein the foot pedal structure further comprises acable housing, wherein the cable is positioned and movable within thecable housing.
 7. The handwashing system of claim 6, wherein the cablecomprises a cable top end and a cable bottom end that extend beyond ahousing top end and a housing bottom end of the cable housing,respectively, wherein the cable top end is secured to the lever and thecable bottom end is secured to a first portion of the foot pedal.
 8. Thehandwashing system of claim 7, wherein the housing top end of the cablehousing is secured to a mounting structure that is attachable to theliquid vessel to attach the dispenser to the liquid vessel, wherein thehousing bottom end of the cable housing is secured to a second portionof the foot pedal.
 9. The handwashing system of claim 8, furthercomprising a spring positioned between the mounting structure and thelever and configured to bias the dispenser to move from the openposition to the closed position.
 10. The handwashing system of claim 5,wherein the foot pedal comprises a base and a movable portion that ismovably attached to the base.
 11. The handwashing system of claim 10,wherein the base comprises a first cable support and a second cablesupport, wherein the cable is movably supported by the first cablesupport and statically attached to the second cable support.
 12. Thehandwashing system of claim 11, wherein the movable portion comprises anextension, wherein, in the closed position, the extension is notpositioned in an area that the cable extends along between the first andsecond cable supports, and, in the open position, the extension ispositioned in the area that the cable extends along between the firstand second cable supports such that the extension bends a portion of thecable.
 13. The handwashing system of claim 5, wherein the levercomprises a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein thecable extends between and movably connects the second end portion of thelever and the foot pedal, further comprising a piston rod that isconfigured to rotatably attach the first end portion of the lever to thedispenser and a rotational rod that defines a rotational axis that thelever rotates about to move the dispenser and is positioned between thepiston rod and the second end portion of the lever along the length ofthe lever.
 14. A foot pedal structure for moving a dispenser of ahandwashing system between a closed position in which liquid cannot flowthrough the handwashing system and an open position in which liquidflows from a liquid vessel and through and out from the handwashingsystem, the foot pedal structure comprising: a foot pedal configured tobe actuated by a user's foot to move the dispenser from the closedposition to the open position; a lever configured to move the dispenserbetween the closed position and the open position, the lever comprisinga first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portionrotatably coupled to the dispenser; and a cable that extends between andmovably connects the second end portion of the lever and the foot pedal.15. The foot pedal structure of claim 14, further comprising a pistonrod that is configured to rotatably attach the first end portion of thelever to the dispenser and a rotational rod that defines a rotationalaxis that the lever rotates about to move the dispenser and ispositioned between the piston rod and the second end portion of thelever along the length of the lever.
 16. The foot pedal structure ofclaim 13, wherein the foot pedal structure further comprises a cablehousing, wherein the cable is positioned and movable within the cablehousing.
 17. The foot pedal structure of claim 16, wherein the cablecomprises a cable top end and a cable bottom end that extend beyond ahousing top end and a housing bottom end of the cable housing,respectively, wherein the cable top end is secured to the lever and thecable bottom end is secured to a first portion of the foot pedal. 18.The foot pedal structure of claim 17, wherein the housing top end of thecable housing is secured to a mounting structure that is attachable tothe liquid vessel to attach the dispenser to the liquid vessel, whereinthe housing bottom end of the cable housing is secured to a secondportion of the foot pedal.
 19. The foot pedal structure of claim 14,wherein the foot pedal comprises a base and a movable portion that ismovably attached to the base, wherein the base comprises a first cablesupport and a second cable support, wherein the cable is movablysupported by the first cable support and statically attached to thesecond cable support.
 20. The foot pedal structure of claim 19, whereinthe movable portion comprises an extension, wherein, in the closedposition, the extension is not positioned in an area that the cableextends along between the first and second cable supports, and, in theopen position, the extension is positioned in the area that the cableextends along between the first and second cable supports such that theextension bends a portion of the cable.